Very simple, but very effective calf exercise

imagymrat

I'll be the first to admit, I was never big on working out my calf muscles. I figured with all the step, biking and running I did, why the heck bother? Then came competition day, I placed second and was told because I had undefined calf muscles. Now I thought they looked just dandy, but I was wrong, I never did weight work for that area. My calves are still an area I don't like working, but I superset them and just bang them out. You do not need to superset this you can rest between each foot postiong if that's what you want to do. When you're doing your leg days, you should end your workout with calves. I use a heavy barbell on my shoulders and with feet shoulder width apart go up onto your toes hold the position for a 2 sec static hold, the back down, do 12 reps, immediately change the position of your feet so that you're standing like a duck, toes pointed out to the side, again up on the toes and count for a 2sec static hold, release and do 12 reps, now we change our positioning again so that our toes are pointing inward, pigeon toed, again up on the toes and release, counting a 2 sec static hold at the top of the movement, 12 reps, rest...repeat 3x's, you can absolutely do this with no weight, all body resistance.

Wolfena

I do this almost every day in the shower.... probably the reason my calves are the ONLY defined muscle on my body :laugh:

rnroadrunner

great exercise. However if you have bad knees be careful how far you point your toes in and out.

imagymrat

I do this almost every day in the shower.... probably the reason my calves are the ONLY defined muscle on my body :laugh:

Great idea actually, I find myself walking my little ones in their stroller and trying to go for 2 minutes walking on my toes and repeating it, interval style, my calves have grown somuch,it doens't take much to see results. And I agree with the other poster, know your limitations and modify the exercises to suit your needs,

KeriD

Thanks again for the very informative post!!! Question bout yesterday's post.....bicep curls that you do as drop sets....do you start with start with two - 20 lb dumb bells to equal the 40lbs? Don't think I could lift more than that!

imagymrat

Thanks again for the very informative post!!! Question bout yesterday's post.....bicep curls that you do as drop sets....do you start with start with two - 20 lb dumb bells to equal the 40lbs? Don't think I could lift more than that!

You would use weight that challenges you, if that's two 20lb dumbbells then that's what you would use, if you can tolerate a heavier weight, then definitely challenge yourself, it's the only way you'll see muscle development. I use 2, 40lb dumbbells, but i've been doing this forever and have relatively strong biceps.

KeriD

WOW, impressive!!! Thank you....love your strength training posts!!!!!

jillybeanruns

Thanks for the exercise! I'm a Irish dancer so my calf muscles are pretty defined...but I'm always aiming for them to be stronger so I don't get injured. I'm the crazy person you see in the mall walking around on her toes for fun

MattySparky

I do this almost every day in the shower.... probably the reason my calves are the ONLY defined muscle on my body :laugh:

dont you have trouble getting the barbell in the shower with you?

ivykivy

So this is like plie releve and the chair pose squat on your toes in yoga?

HealthyChanges2010

I do this almost every day in the shower.... probably the reason my calves are the ONLY defined muscle on my body :laugh:

dont you have trouble getting the barbell in the shower with you?

Leave it to you Matty, you crack me up!:laugh:

thumper44

I've been doing calf raises, with two dumb bells, but what I found was also a good burn was two exercises in P90x
One - doing lunges but staying on your toes, I guess you could add weight to make it even tougher.
two - hot feet, hopping on one foot for 30 secs., and you could add weight.

scotslass

Great idea actually, I find myself walking my little ones in their stroller and trying to go for 2 minutes walking on my toes and repeating it, interval style, my calves have grown somuch,it doens't take much to see results. And I agree with the other poster, know your limitations and modify the exercises to suit your needs,
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Im going to give this a try tomorrow when i walk my little boy in his pram! great idea!

scotslass

Sorry double posting for some reason!!